Razor-blade sharpener.



G. G. FLOYD. RAZOR BLADE SHARPENBB. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 28. 1909. 959,496, 1 Patented May 31, 1910.

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' G. G. FLOYD, RAZOR BLADE SHARPBNEB.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1909.

Patented May 31, 1910.

UNITED STATES FATEN T OFFICE.

GEORGE G. FLOYI),' OF GRANITE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,TO TWINPLEX MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATIONF MISSOURI.

RAZOR-BLADE SHARPENER.

I Specification of Letters Patent.

Application inea July 2s, 190s. serial No. 510,054.

Patented May 31, 1910.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE G. FLOYD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Granite, in the county of Madison and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Razor-Blade Sharp!eners, of which the following is a specication.

\ edged blades, w

My invention relates to razor blade sharpening or stropping devices orsimilar appliances, its various objects and purposes including theproduction of a mechanism of this character which will' effect thesharpening of the blades eliiciently,; which will be economical tomanufacture, which will sharpen or stro either single or doubleich willreduce an alternate sweepin stropping e ect on the oppo# site sides of tie cutting edge, and which will sharpen both edges of a double-edgedblade or` the two edges of a pair of singleedged blades, during thecontinued actuation of the appliance and without necessitating theremoval or adjustment of such blades. These with several other featuresof novelty and improvement will become apparent to those skilled in theart from a study of the following detailed description of a desirableexemplification of this invention, whichdescription should be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification, and throughout thevarious views ofwlnich like referencecharacters refer tothe same part.

In these draWings-Figurel is an end elevation of one embodiment" of myimproved sharpening or stropping device; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectionshowing the mutilated cylindrical stropping or sharpening elements insuch position that theydo not act on the blade; Fig. 3 is a simi ar Viewshowing the elements in a different position and about to begin thesharpening action on the blade; Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line4-4 of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the appliance; Fig. 6 is across-section on line 6--6 of Figa-5, the 'parts being viewed in thedirection indicated by the arrows; Fig. C", is a section parallel to thebase of the device -on a plane passing through the axes of the strappingelements; Fig. 8 shows in elevation the parts of the blade holder andillustrates also a blade in edge view;l Fi 9 shows in assembled relationthe elements ilustrated separately in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is an end View vbeobvious that by razor blade of the section on line 12 of Fig. 5; Fig. 13shows a modified form of blade holder with two sin-v gle e blades; Fi 14illustrates in an suchedag holder with gthe two bla/des in deition andwith the top of the holder removed; Fig. l5 is a cross-section on line15-15 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 illustrates the top part of such a holder; andFig. 17 shows in perspective one of the single-edge blades.

By reference to the drawings it will'be "observed that this particularembodiment of the invention has a wooden or other base 20,upstanding-,from and fixed to the ends of which by suitable screws aretwo metallic supporting plates 21 and 22, the base having in addition asimilar upright intermediate plate 23. Journaled in such plates andextended longitudinally of the device is a pair of parallel shafts 24and 25, the end of the former protruding outwardly beyond 'the plate 21for the application thereto of an operating handle. 26 which isconveniently secured to such shaft by being pinned thereto at'27. Shaft24 has keyed thereto near one vend a gear 28, the teeth of. which meshwith those of a similar gear 29 of the same diameter keyed or otherwisefixed rigidly with the companion shaft 25. It will, therefore,

the rotation of handle 26 the two shafts will be rotated at the samespeed in opposite directions. 0n each of these shafts I mount a woodencylinder 30 and 31, respectively, each of which is out away or mutilatedat 32 and 33, respectively, such mutilations or recesses being capableof assuming matched relation or register, as is clearly indicated forexample in Figs. 2 and 6. One longitudinal edge of each of these.cylinders is rounded of at 34, the other edge 35 being comparativelysharp. The curved surfaces of, these cylinders are covered with' leatheror other suitable strops 36 which extend from the ed 35 around theentire outer cylindrical su ace of each member and around the curvedportion 34, being glued or otherwise alixed 1n place. v

The intermittently-actuated holder for a thin double-edged type isillustrated in detail in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, and includes a mainsubstantially semi-cylindrical holder 37 upstanding from the flatsurface of which are three spaced posts' or pins 38 adapted to fit inthe three correspondingly-spaced apertures through the thin double-edgedblade 39. At one end v and integral therewith this holder has a cymentof the holder and the blade held thereby. On opposite sides and parallelto the top flat surface of the holder 37 this enlargement 42 isflattened at 43 and.44 for a pur ose hereinafter indicated. At itsopposite end the holder is equipped with another smaller bearin orjournal 45 adapted to be received in an rotate in a bearing slot 46 inplate 21 and similar in construction to the slot or recess 41. Theholder is also equipped withagpinon 47 fixed thereto and,

between which and the bearing or journal 45 is a cylindrical ortion orenlargement 48, the outer end oi) which acts as a stop shoulder toco-act with the inner ace of the plate 21 to `prevent disl ment ordisplacement of the holder and lade. Co erating with this holder is asupplementa substantially semi-cylindrical clamp member 49 havingextended laterally therethrough three holes 50 toreceive the ins 38, theiiat surface of such clamp member being adapted to bear on the top .faceof the blade to hold it in proper position between itself and the holderproper 37. As is clearly illustrated, the pins 38, the clamp member 49,the journal 40, and the 'enlargement 42 all have extended therethroughlongitudinally of the holder alined apertures 51, 52 and 53 for theaccommodation of a removable locking-pin 54, one end of which isbentlaterally at 55 to form a handle or holder. When the blade 39 hasbeen laced on the pins 38 and the.

clamp 49 app ied, the locking-pin 54 may be pushed through theregistering holes so as to hold the clam and blade rmly and rigidly tothe hol er, as is shownln Figs. 9 and 10.

Fixed to the inner face of gear 28 and rotatable therewith and with thesl1a,ft.24, I provide a toothed sector 56 having desirably one-half asmany teeth as 'the .pinion 47 ofthe holder, such teeth being adapted tointermittently engage those of such pinion during the rotatlon of thesharpening or stropping elements to effect 'the intermittent rotation ofthe blade holder through approximately 180 so as to reverse thepos1tions of the edges of such a double-edged blade.

` On pins 57 projecting inwardly from the inner faces of the plates 21and 23 I fulcrum or hinge a pressure frame composed of two end bars 58and 59 connected together by the two rods 60 'and 61, the extendedreduced ends 62 of which pass through suitable holes or apertures insuch end bars. And bar 58 has a downwardly-extended portion 63 suppliedwith a substantially semicylindrical recess 64, such portion 63 beingadapted to bear against the top of the part 48 of the blade holder, thecompanion frame end bar 59 having a flat bottom surface 65 to bearagainst the parts 42, 43 and 44 of the holder, and when engaging thelatter' two acting to yieldingly maintain the holder against rotation.At 66 (Figs. 2 and 3 by means of a screw I secure to the top o the base20, a curved spring 67 having areversely-bent upper end portion 68adapted -to bear against and co erate with the rod 61, the springbeingso nt or curved that it will act to yieldingly hold the pressure fra-medown on the blade holder or maintain such frame in elevated position, asis indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, the rod 61 passing by the deadcenter or'contacting .with the opposite portions of the curved part ofthe` spring. To vary and adjust the amount of the ressure which thisspring will impose on tie frame and on the bladeholder, I supply thedevice with an adjustable screw 69, whichwill be turned to increase ordecrease the pressure, as appears necessary, the screw 66 actingsomewhat as a fulcrum during such adjustment.

The operation of the mechanism so far as described and which in itselfconstitutes a Icomplete operative appliance, is substantially asfollows: The operator applies the dull blade to be sharpened to theholder 37 over the pins 38 and places the clamp member 49 on such pins,subsequently inserting the locking-pin 54. This application of the bladeto the holder may be done while the latter is in position in theappliance, or, if

desired, by raising the pressure frame to the dotted -line positionshown in Fig.- 1, the holder may be removed from the device for such purose, and then replaced and the pressurerame turned down so as to applyits pressure to the holder. This applicatlon `of the blade to the holderis aom lished while the stropping or sharpening e ements are in theinoperative portion of their rotation, that is, while the recessesor.cavities 32 and 33 are in register as in Figs. 2 and 6. T he member59 of the pressure frame now b'ears on the flat part 43 of the holder,actin to retain the latter against rotation and lio d the bladesubstantially parallel to the base. The operator then turns the handle26 inthe direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1, which causes therotation of the two stropping or sharpening elements in the directionindicated bythe arrows in Figs. 2 and 3. As the strop equippedcylindrical portions of these rotary sharpening elements turn about,they simultaneously engage the two edges of blade 39, as shown in Fig.l3, lifting the whole blade and holder somewhat against the pressure ofspring 67 and concaving the blade to some extent, as is indicated inFig. 3. Continued actuation of the handle 26 results, as will be readilyunderstood, in the passage of the strops under and against the lowersides of both cutting edges of the blade, it being understood that thediameters of these sharpening elements, the distance apart of theirshafts, and the location of the blade are so chosen and related that theproper stropping and Sharpening eli'ect on the cutting edges will besecured.

lfVbenthe curved ends of the strop over the faces of the parts 34 of thecylinders pass from beneath the blade, the holder with its blade dropssuddenly,l under the action of the pressure frame, to the bottoms of theslots 4l and 46, and soon afterward the teeth of the toothed Sector 56engage those of the pinion 47, the latter and the blade being held inproper position for this engagement of the teeth b y coaction of thepressure frame with the flat surface 43. As the sector rotates itrevolves the holder and blade through an arc of 180, the bar 59 ot' thepressure :trame riding on the part 42 of the holder and finally engagingthe flat sur-face 44 to hold the blade and holderin their new positionwith the blade parallel to vthe base. Obviously, the mutilated orcut-away parts of the sharpening or strop-` pin elements permit thisrotation of the bla e, and during further and continued rotation of thestropping elements they again engage the blade, as shown in Fig. 3, butthlstime each acts on the opposite side of the cutting edge whose otherside was previously acted upon bythe other stropping or sharpeningelement. During this further sharpening operation of the device thebladeand holder are raisedagainst the action of the spring and the bladeis concaved as in the previous instance. Y

The construction of the device is such that the blade is turned through18()o for each revolution of the cylindrical stroppers, whereby theproper alternate action o the latter on the opposite sides of thecutting edges is effected and secured. The, rotation of the handle andthe sharpening elements and the intermediate action of the holder iscontinued for a few seconds until the cutting 'edges of the razor bladeare rendered sharp and are put in condition for a smooth and easy shave.When the blade has reached the desired degree of sharpness the pm 54niay be withdrawnI by means of its bent end 55,' and the clamp 49 andblade 39 readily removed by inverting the applianceand a new blade maybe easily put. in place, or, if desired, the pressure frame may beraised, being held in elevated position by the spring, and -t-be holderwholly removed from the device to effect the removal of the blade. v

In order to decrease the time'for stropping and sharpening such a blade,the device instead of being actuated by the handle 26 may be operatedthrough a spring motor mechanism clearly shown on the drawings. In thiscase the shaft 24 is provided with a gear 70 between the plates 22 and23,- such gear meshing with another one'71 on an intermediate shaft. 7 2journaled in the two plates 23 and 24, such latter shaft in turn havinga. smaller gear 73 in mesh with the teeth of a large gear 74 on a sleeve75 loosely mounted on the end of shaft 25 and provided with an angularend 76 protruding through a hole in plate 22, such end being intendedand adapted to coperate with a detachable winding key 77. The gear 74has a barrel 78 integral therewith and housing a coil expansion spring79, one end of which is fixed to the barrel 78 by a rivet 0.1* otherwiseat 80, the other end of the spring being fixed to the sleeve 7 5 onwhich the barrel and gear are freely rotatable. Sleeve in addition, asis shown in Fig.'12, is equipped withv a ratchet 80', co-acting withwhich is a stop pawl 8l pivoted on the plate 23 at 82 and having a lowerweighted end 83.

In the device shown the handle 26 is ordinarily not employed, although`the appliance can be readily actuated by such a handle, the springmotor being omitted. When such motor is used, however, the handle 26 isordinarily detached and unemployed. The spring 79 is wound up in theusual manner by the key 77 after the blade has been'applied to theholder, the stop paWl 81 preventing unwindin of the spring, theexpansive force of which is employed through the gearing for therotation of the two stropping elements. When the motor is thus used thefriction and pressure of the blade on the Sharpeners or strops is usedas a retarding means to replace the ordinary esc'apement, the sharpeningor stropping of the two edges of the blade occurring in substantiallythe same manner as has been indicated above. lVith a device having sucha spring motor the person shaving may be sharpening one blade while ein`ployin another, some persons requiring two shar blades for a singleshave, or the blade for tIhe morrows use may be sharpening by such aSpring motor after having been used for the present day-s shavingoperation.

Actual demonstration of this device indicates, however, that but acomparatively few seconds suffice to ut blades of this character inproper con ition for a smooth and pleasing shave.

Whereas I have hereinabove indicated that this improved appliance isespecially ada ted for sharpening thin double-edged bla es, itsemployment is not limited to blades of' any particular character or toblades havin two cutting edges, since, as will be rea ily understood,sin le-edged blades can be readily and easily s arpened by such adevice, and in Figs. 13 to 17, inclusive, I have indicated a modifiedform of holder suitable for use in sharpening two of such blades at thesame time, although they may'be sharpened separately if desired.Referring to these figures, it will be noticed that the construction ofthe holder 84 is modied so as to accommodate and hold in place a air ofblades 85, one of which is shown 1n perspective in Fig. 17, each of suchblades having a single cutting edge 86 and a protruding ear 87 at eachend. The main body 84 of the holder is cut away at its central part soas to provide a flat surface 88, and arising from the opposite ends ofthe same are the two enlargements 89 each having on its inner :tace arecess 90 adapted to accommodate two ears 87 of a pair of blades 85oppositely disposed in the holder with their edges projecting inopposite directions, as is clearly indicated. The clamp member 91 ofsuch a holder has av tongue 92 at each end to fit in the recesses 90 onto of the blades as is shown inFig. 15, the e emp being ieeieedin bladeholding position by the removable locking-pin 54 which 'passes throughalined holes 93 in the enlargements 89 and 94 in the clamp. A pair of ora single single-edged blade may be held in such a holder and have itsedge properly sharpened by the stropping elements.

Although I have herein indicated-only two forms and styles of holders,those skilled in the art willhave no trouble-in constructing holders forall sorts of blades for asharpening device of this character.

It is to be particularly noted that this device will sharpen both edgesof a doubleedged blade, or the two edges of a pair of single-edgedblades, by action of the stropping elements on the op osite sides ofeach cutting edge, one side o each edge being acted upon by one strop eror sharpener, and the other Vside of t e same edge operated upon by theother or companion stropper or Sharpener, whereby I am enabled to securethat rapid alternate stropping eiect which is so desirable in thesharpenin of razor or other blades. I be lieve that simple andeconomical appliance which will am the first person to provide a producesuch a result, and which will so strop or sharpen the blades as toproduce universal satisfaction on the part of the users. It is to benoted furthermore that my improved and novel device requires nohandling,y adjustment, replacing or manual shifting of the blade afterit has once been secured in the holder, and that the complete sharpeningaction is secured by merely turning the handle or operating the deviceby the spring motor indicated or by any other suitable means. If for anyreason the spring should break in the motor the detachable handle may beapplied to carry on the sharpening operation. It is to be noted that theinvention is not limited or restricted in any way as to what particularmeans shall be employed for operating the sharpening elements and theblade holder. As far as I am aware, I am the first person to employmutilated cylindrical stropping or sharpening elements the cut-awayparts of such elements being utilized for the reversal of the blade,whereby to secure the action of such stropping device alternately onboth sides of both edges.

' Even though one or more embodiments of this invention have beendescribed and illustrated in detail, I do not wish to have it understoodthat the invention is in any way limited and restricted to the preciseand exact structural features set forth, because these may be modifiedwithin considerably wide limlts without departure from the substance ofthe invention and without the loss of any of its benefitsandladvantages. For example, the number of teeth on the sector need notbe exactly one-half those of the blade holder pinion and the blade neednot be rotated exactly 180 at each actuation,

since the stroppers themselves when engaging the blade act to :right thesame to secure the proper. and correct sharpening action by themutilated cylinders.

I claim: f

1. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofsharpening elements, a blade-holder rotatable intermittently. in onedirection and adapted to swing the 'blade alternately from one element`to the other, and operating means for said elevments and holder,whereby one side of the cuttin edge of the blade is acted upon by one osaid elements and the other side of the blade edge acted upon by theother element, substantiallv as described.

2. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofrotary sharpenin elements, a blade-holder rotatable interfmttently inone direction and adapted to swing the blade alternately from oneelement to the other, and o eratng means to rotate said elements anholder, whereby one side of the cutting edge of the blade is acted uponby one of said elements and the other side of the blade edge acted upon`by the other element, substantially as described.

` 3. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combinationof a pair ofsharpening elements, a blade-holder, means acting on said holder toyieldably maint-ain the blade in operative engagement with both of saidelements atthe same time, and means actuated in one direction only tooperate said elements and holder, whereby one side of the cutting edgeof the blade is acted upon by one of said elements and the other side ofits edge acted upon by the other element, substantially as described.

4. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofrotary mutilated cylindrical sharpening elements, an intermittentlymovable blade holder, and operating means to rotate said elements andintermittently actuate said holder, whereby the opposite sides of thecutting edge of the blade are acted upon alternately by said elei ments,the mutilated portions of said elements pernlitting the intermittentactua-tion 'of said holder and blade, substantially as described.

5. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the coi'nbination of a pairof rotary mutilated cylindrical sharpening elements, an intermittentlyrotatable blade-holder, ,and means actuated in one direction only torotate said elements and holder, whereby the opposite .sides ot thecutting edge of the blade are acted .upon alternately by said elements,the mutilated portions of said elements permitting the intermittentrotation of the holder and blade, substantially as del scribed.

G. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of sharpeningmeans, a holder for cutting means having two cutting edges, andoperating means adapted to be actuated in one direction only, wherebyone side of both edges are simultaneously acted upon by said lsharpeningmeans, 'substantially as described. l

7. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of sharpeningmeans, a holder for cutting means having two cutting edges, andoperating means for said sharpening means and holder, whereby duringactuation of said operating means in one direc- -ton said sharpeningmeans, act alternately ou one side of said edges simultaneously and outhe opposite sides of said edges simultaneously, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofsharpening elements, an intermittently movable holder for cutting meanshaving two cutting edges, and operating means forsaid elements andholder, whereby during actuation of said operating means in onedirection one side of one edge 1s acted upon by one of said elementswhile one side of the othery edge is Aacted upon by the other element,lsubstantially as described.

9. Ina razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofsharpening elements, a movable holder for cutting means having twocutting edges, and operatin means for said elements and holder adapte tobe actuated in one direction to secure 4the alternate action of saidsharpening elements first simultaneously on one side of both of saidedges and then simultaneously on the opposite side of both of saidedges, substantially as described.

l10. In a razor blade shar ener or the like, the combination of a pairot rotary sharpening elements, a holder for cutting means having twocutting edges intermittently rotatable in one direction, and operatingmeansl to rotate said elements and holder, whereby to secure analternate action of said sharpening elements first simultaneously on oneside of both of said edges and then4 simultaneously on the oppositesidesof sai-done direction only to rotatev said elements and holder,whereby to secure the alternate action of said sharpening elements Iirstsimultaneously on one side of both of said edges and then simultaneouslyon the opposite sides of said edges, substantially as described.

12. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofmovable sharp- @ning elements, an intermittently movable holder forcutting means having two cutting edges, said sharpening elements havingmutilated or cut-away portions adapted to match to permit actuationofsaid cutting means, and means to operate said elements and holder,whereby to securethe alternate action of said elements firstsimultaneously on one side of both of said edges and then simultaneouslyon the opposite sides ofi'both of said edges, substantially asdescribed.

13. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofcylindrical sharpening elements, an intermittentlyrotatable holder`for'cutting means having two cuttingedges, said sharpening elementshaving mutilated'or cut-away portions adapted to match lto permitturning of said cutting means, and means 'to operate said elements andholder, whereby to secure the alternate action of said elements firstsimultaneously on one side of both ofsaid edges and then simultaneouslyon the opposite sides of both of said edges, substantially as described.14. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofrotary cy1indrical sharpening elements, a holder` for cutting meansadapted to apply said cutting means to said elements, means to applypressure to said holder to concave said cutting means when in operativerelation with said sharpening elements, and means to rotate saidelements, substantially as described.

15. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a parirof rotary cylindrical sharpening elements,I an intermittently actuatedholder for cutting means adapted to apply said cutting means to both ofsaid elements at the same time, means to apply pressure to said holderto concave said cutting means when in operative relation With saidsharpening elements, and means to rotate said elements and actuate saidholder, substantially as described.

16. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofrotary sharpening elements, a blade-holder intermittently rotatable inone direction and adapted to apply the edge of the blade to saidelements, and means to operate said elements and holder, substantiallyas described.

17 In a razor blade shar ener or the like,l the combination of a pairci) rotary sharpen` ing elements geared together, means to rotate saidelements, an intermittently rotatable blade-holder, a pinion fixed tosaid holder, and a toothed sector rotatable with one of said elementsand ada ted to engage said pinion at intervals to eect the intermittentrotation of said holder, substantially as described.

18. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofrotary Sharpening elements geared together, means to rotate saidelements, an intermittently rotatable blade-holder, a pinion ixed tosaid holder, a toothed sector rotatable with one of said elements andadapted to engage said pinion at intervals to effect the intermittentrotation of said holder, and means acting on said holder to maintain itin proper position for the engagement of the teeth of such sector withthose of said pinion, substantially as described. c

19. In a razor blade Sharpener or the like, the combination of a pair ofsharpening elements, a holder adapted to receive cutting means having apair of cutting edges, and means to effect the alternate sharpeningaction of said elements simultaneously on the same side of both edgesand then simultaneously on the opposite sides of both edges,

substantially as described.

GEORGE G. FLOYD.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. LAMoN'r, EDWIN B. SHERZBR.

